The fifth installment in Relapse’s exhaustive reissue campaign of Death's immensely influential catalog is "Leprosy," the band’s titanic second album.

"Leprosy" is set for an April 29th release date in North America, April 28th in the UK/World, and April 25th in Benelux/Germany/Finland.

The entire album, as well as the bonus material, has been painstakingly remastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Nile, etc) and will be reissued on a variety of formats including 2xCD, limited edition 3xCD, LP, picture disc LP, limited edition 2xLP boxset, and digital.

The deluxe 2xCD contains 50 minutes of previously unheard and unreleased "Leprosy" demos and rehearsal material housed in an embossed o-card package with a 24 page booklet featuring unseen pictures of the band as well as brand new liner notes from Ian Christe (Sirius/XM) and Jeremy Wagner (Broken Hope). The LP features the remastered core album on wax together with a download card for all of the music included on the 2xCD.

A remastered version of the death metal classic "Pull The Plug" can be heard below. More...

When day two began, it was about two hours from when day one ended....and I was grateful to have had an hour of sleep compared to many others who had none. Energized by Gloryhammer’s phenomenal set of unicorn greatness....I plotted my day.

It got off to a rocky start for shows, since writing my day one report forced a miss of Poltergeist’s first gig since reforming. Tired set in big time and I begrudgingly missed Freedom Call’s first set as well, two items that will not be missed on Thursday. So today’s schedule ended up like this: Swallow the Sun, Terrorizer, Bonfire, Leaves’ Eyes, The Haunted, Orphaned Land, Dark Tranquility, Carcass, Haggard, Death: DTA Tours. I sacrificed plans to see Satyricon, Fear Factory and Septicflesh, knowing that I had to follow up. More...

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, announced the final band just as the floating festival sets sail today. It was no surprise as Germany's Atrocity was named. The band makes up the majority of Leaves' Eyes, who are also on the cruise, and both acts will set out on a North American Tour with Moonspell this weekend right after the cruise returns to Miami on Friday morning (see tour dates here).

The sold out event will set sail at 4:00pm today from Miami with a stop at Costa Maya, Mexico on Wednesday before heading back to Miami on Friday morning. Metal Underground.com will also be onboard to provide daily reports on all of the festival activities.

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, announced two of the final three acts as the final weekend before the floating festival sets sail in three days (Monday, January 27th) has arrived. California's Nekrogoblikon and Tampa death metal act Massacre were welcomed onboard in the last 24 hours.

Massacre will be performing some songs from their forthcoming album "Back From Beyond" during the band's two sets.

In addition, UMC reported that the event has sold out, however there are still single tickets in shared cabins still available. For more information, head on over to www.70000tons.com. The cruise dates are from January 27, 2014 to January 31, 2014 - with the destination set as Costa Maya, Mexico, which was voted on by the fans. Metal Underground.com will also be onboard to provide reports on all of the activities.

There is at least 1 more band to be announced (it is unknown whether any add on acts will be announced as have been in past years) and the current lineup including the latest is as follows:

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, launched another volley of acts for the upcoming floating festival, which sets sail in 11 days: New Jersey's Swashbuckle, Norway's Keep Of Kalessin and International act Twilight Of The Gods.

For Swashbuckle, it will be the band's second appearance on the cruise and Twilight of the Gods appeared on the first cruise as a Bathory tribute band and will pay homage to Quorthon in one of the band's two sets this year.

The cruise will take place from January 27, 2014 to January 31, 2014 - with the destination set as Costa Maya, Mexico, which was voted on by the fans. For more information, including booking your trip - head on over to www.70000tons.com.

Swashbuckle, Keep Of Kalessin and Twilight Of The Gods join the previously announced acts, with 3 more bands still to be announced:

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, launched another volley of acts for the upcoming floating festival, which sets sail in 11 days: Germany's Freedom Call, Boston's Unearth and Danish death thrashers Hatesphere.

The cruise will take place from January 27, 2014 to January 31, 2014 - with the destination set as Costa Maya, Mexico, which was voted on by the fans. For more information, including booking your trip - head on over to www.70000tons.com.

Freedom Call, Unearth and Hatesphere join the previously announced acts, with 6 more bands still to be announced:

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, announced the next two bands for the upcoming floating festival: Gloryhammer (featuring Christopher Bowes of Alestorm and Thomas Lazlo Winkler formerly of Emerald) and reformed Swiss thrashers Poltergeist (featuring André Grieder, who sang vocals on Destruction's 1990 album "Cracked Brain").

The cruise will take place from January 27, 2014 to January 31, 2014 - with the destination set as Costa Maya, Mexico, which was voted on by the fans. For more information, including booking your trip - head on over to www.70000tons.com.

Gloryhammer and Poltergeist join the previously announced acts, with 9 more bands still to be announced:

UMC, the promoters for 70,000 Tons of Metal, announced the next four new bands for the upcoming floating festival: Death DTA (featuring Sean Reinert (Cynic) - drums, Paul Masvidal (Cynic) - guitar, Steve DiGiorgio (Autopsy, Testament, Iced Earth) - bass, and Max Phelps (Cynic)), Miami death/progressive fusion act Cynic, Chicago doom metallers Novembers Doom and German hard rock act Bonfire (who will play the entire "Fireworks" album at one of its performances).

The cruise will take place from January 27, 2014 to January 31, 2014 - with the destination set as Costa Maya, Mexico, which was voted on by the fans. For more information, including booking your trip - head on over to www.70000tons.com.

Death DTA, Cynic, Novembers Doom and Bonfire join previously announced acts, with 11 more bands still to be announced:

CarcassCripperDark TranquilityDeath AngelD.R.I.Fear FactoryFinntrollHaggardIzegrimLeaves' EyesObituary (debuting the band's forthcoming new album in its entirety)Orphaned LandOverkillPungent StenchRavenRising StormSatyriconSepticfleshSoilworkSwallow the SunSymphony XThe HauntedVictoryVicious Rumors (playing "Digital Dictator" album in its entirety)Xandria More...

After a North American tour and a performance at Neurotic Deathfest, Death: DTA will tour Europe for the first time.

The Death line up will consist of Sean Reinert (Cynic) - drums, Paul Masvidal (Cynic) - guitar, Steve DiGiorgio (Autopsy, Testament, Iced Earth) - bass, and Max Phelps (Cynic) - guitar & vocals. The set list will feature most of the songs from the "Human" album plus other Death classics.

In 1998, "The Sound Of Perseverance," the very last studio album of progressive death metal icons Death from Florida, saw the light of day. In 2001 charismatic band leader, guitar god, and sound pioneer Chuck Schuldiner tragically passed away. Many years later, the towering monolith of Chuck and Death's testimony hasn't even faintly started to crumble.

Direct support will come from German tech death heroes Obscura, who's singer/guitarist Steffen Kummerer was asked to be vocalist on the first Death-tribute shows in 2012, but couldn't take the job due to visa issues. Also on the tour will be Darkrise. More...

New York underground metal band Grey Skies Fallen has begun an Indiegogo campaign in efforts to raise money for the band's forthcoming EP/album "The Many Sides of Truth."

This will be Grey Skies Fallen's first physical release since 2006's "Two Way Mirror" full-length. "The Many Sides of Truth" follows 2012's "Introspective" and 2010's "Along Came Life" which were digital-only releases available for free on the band's website.

"The Many Sides of Truth" will be released on both CD and vinyl. The vinyl version, (a first for the band) will be pressed in limited numbers, and come in a variety of colors. As a vinyl-exclusive bonus track, Grey Skies Fallen will record the Death song "Perennial Quest." Cover artwork will be crafted by Travis Smith.

Though unsigned for their entire history, (save for a brief relationship with the late Don Decker and Nightfall Records in 2000) the band is now seeking assistance from fans. Many interesting perks are offered, ranging from band merchandise, to having the band play a show in your house for you and your friends. More...

The esteemed "Death to All" Tour, celebrating the life and music of Death mastermind Chuck Schuldiner, will be returning in 2013 for an even larger run of dates.

After a 2012 run, the tour, now referred to as DTA1, will feature the original lineup of Death from "Human" — guitarist Paul Masvidal, bassist Steve Di Giorgio, and drummer Sean Reinert, with special guest vocalist/guitarist Max Phelps of Cynic / Exist. The band will be playing a selection of songs from the first four Death albums including the cream of the "Human" album.

Once again, the spirit of the tour is to spread the word and raise money for the charity Sweet Relief, while keeping the music and legacy of Chuck Schuldiner alive. A second version of the tour, dubbed DTA2, is planned for North America later this year, and will focus on the final three Death albums, plus a one-off European date at Neurotic Deathfest May 3 that will cover the entire Deathcatalog.

Additionally, 2013 will continue to see the deluxe reissues of Death’s catalog by Relapse Records. Over the last couple of years, the label has painstakingly reissued and remastered the later albums from the Death catalog including "The Sound of Perseverance," "Individual Thought Patterns," "Human," "Spiritual Healing" and other Chuck Schuldiner related releases. Details on the 2013 reissues will be announced shortly. More...

Relapse Records has released a new online compilation in honor of Pat Egan, who recently passed away. The label comments:

"Our hearts go out to our brother Pat Egan and his family. Pat was our Director of Sales for over 10 years and passed away on Monday morning after battling pneumonia. We have created a 20 song sampler to benefit his daughter's college fund. Any and all donations are very much appreciated. RIP Pat, we love and miss you!"

The Dillinger Escape Plan also commented on the compilation:

"On Monday Pat Egan, Relapse records director of sales for the past 10 years, passed away after a struggle with Pneumonia and related complications. Pat was a champion and great friend of Dillinger for years and we are very sad to have lost him. He work very had to get our music out to all you guys and now is your chance to show your appreciation.

"Here is a link to a compilation featuring songs by us and a bunch of other bad ass Relapse artists. All proceeds from the download of this compilation will go towards a college fund for his daughter Katie, a scholar and an athlete with a bright future ahead of her. All of the bands on this compilation have waived their royalties and Relapse is passing through all proceeds from the sale of the comp directly to Pat’s wife and daughter.

"The compilation costs a minimum of $5, but you are welcome to donate more than that if you would. There is no limit on how much you can give."

The deluxe reissue of Death’s landmark, genre-defining album "Spiritual Healing" is now available. In addition to a 2-disc edition, limited edition (2000 machine numbered copies) triple CD digipaks are available exclusively from Relapse.com. The third CD features a never before released live set recorded in 1990 featuring the "Spiritual Healing" Death line up. An iTunes deluxe edition has also been released containing 5 additional previously unreleased pre-Human rehearsal tracks not available on either of the CD versions.

The entire reissue is currently streaming online via Loudwire.com at this location. Relapse Records also commented:

"Originally released in 1990, Spiritual Healing marked a new turn in the Death discography, one which ushered in cleaner production, a new level of boundary pushing musicianship and songwriting skills that were previously unimaginable from a metal band. Spiritual Healing sets the standard for riffs, insane time changes and of course mainman Chuck Schuldiner’s masterful guitar solos.

"Now reissued as a double CD housed in super deluxe packaging featuring brand new liner notes from Death players James Murphy and Terry Butler, Chuck’s sister Beth Schuldiner and Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen, Disc 1 features a completely new remaster of the original album and Disc 2 contains 16 previously unreleased rehearsal, outtakes and studio instrumentals.

"Spiritual Healing follows the recent Relapse Records re-issues of DEATH classics Individual Thought Patterns, The Sound of Perseverance, Human, and the live collection Vivus! plus Chuck Schuldiner projects MANTAS & CONTROL DENIED. Like those reissues, this collection contains extensive liner notes from previous members and never-before-seen photos of the band." More...

A remastered version of the title track from Death's landmark album "Spiritual Healing" is currently being streamed via Gun Shy Assassin. Check out the song at this location.

Originally release in 1990, the album is now being reissued as a double CD housed in super deluxe packaging featuring brand new liner notes from Death players James Murphy and Terry Butler, Chuck’s sister Beth Schuldiner and Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen. Disc 1 features a completely new remaster of the original album and Disc 2 contains 16 previously unreleased rehearsal, outtakes, and studio instrumentals. A remastered version of the track “Living Monstrosity” can also be heard in the player below.

In addition to the 2-Disc edition, limited edition (2000 machine numbered copies) triple CD digipak will be available exclusively from the Relapse webstore. The third CD features a never before released live set recorded in 1990 featuring the "Spiritual Healing" Death line up. An iTunes deluxe edition will also be released containing 5 additional previously unreleased pre-Human rehearsal tracks not available on either of the CD versions. The entire tracklisting is available below.

"Spiritual Healing" is set for a November 20th North American release date, November 16th in the Benelux / Germany / Finland, and November 19th in the UK and worldwide. More...

The next chapter in Relapse's Death reissue campaign will be the "Spiritual Healing" album. The label comments:

"Originally released in 1990, Spiritual Healing marked a new turn in the Death discography, one which ushered in cleaner production, a new level of boundary pushing musicianship and songwriting skills that were previously unimaginable from a metal band. Spiritual Healing sets the standard for riffs, insane time changes and of course mainman Chuck Schuldiner’s masterful guitar solos.

"Now reissued as a double CD housed in super deluxe packaging featuring brand new liner notes from Death players James Murphy and Terry Butler, Chuck’s sister Beth Schuldiner and Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen, Disc 1 features a completely new remaster of the original album and Disc 2 contains 16 previously unreleased rehearsal, outtakes and studio instrumentals. A remastered version of the track “Living Monstrosity” can be heard below.

"In addition to the 2-Disc edition, limited edition (2000 machine numbered copies) triple CD digipak will be available exclusively from Relapse.com. The third CD features a never before released live set recorded in 1990 featuring the Spiritual Healing Death line up. An iTunes deluxe edition will also be released containing 5 additional previously unreleased pre-Human rehearsal tracks not available on either of the CD versions. The entire tracklisting is available below." More...

When Sick Drummer Magazine released a statement about rumors and allegations pertaining to the Death To All tour that they organized, Death manager Eric Greif responded briefly saying he'd issue a "press release" on the matter as well. He has since issued the following statement:

It is with profound regret that I must clarify the reality of the Death To All Tour, now that rumors are in full swing and Sick Drummer Magazine has issued a statement at their zine. First, I must thank the musicians and crew for making this such a wondrous experience for the fans. The Schuldiners & I were tremendously proud of how much Chuck’s spirit was captured by these nine seasoned pros on stage. What events these five shows were! So it should be clear that, on the surface, Death To All was an awesome experience for me as a fan, as the former manager of Death, and as the person legally entrusted with guarding Chuck’s legacy.

I was approached by Anton Hefele of Grind Percussion LLC (who go by the business name Sick Drummer Magazine) with the enticing premise of he & his partner Ian Macdonald organizing such an historic tour, and I was asked to designate the charity of our choice. The Schuldiners & I endorse Sweet Relief (sweetrelief.org), so that was simple. I was assured by others whom I trusted that Sick Drummer was a legit organization and could pull the tour off. In fact, they themselves stated clearly that they had all contingencies sorted out to handle any & all tour outcomes, like any legit folks in the metal music business would. They guaranteed musician & crew salaries, worked the gig bookings out with The Pantheon Agency, and after some wrangling did a licensing contract with us at Perseverance Holdings Ltd. that would see compensation going to the Schuldiner family for the use of Chuck’s songs & the prestige of the Death name & logo. The biggest commitment they made, however, was that 20% of every ticket and merch item sold would go straight to Sweet Relief. This was the crux of why we’d allow this tour to happen under Chuck’s name.

I trusted in these two guys from Sick Drummer Magazine. So did Jane Schuldiner, Beth Schuldiner and Chris Steele. So did the musicians. So did the Death fans. After rocky negotiations produced an 11th hour contract, including their cancelling of shows in Atlanta and Dallas (that they had added after the first five), we still gave them the benefit of the doubt. I was on the entire tour and witnessed first hand the organizational confusion and the financial incompetence, as did every musician. Clearly I knew there was no way they would be able to afford all of what they were obligated to pay, even despite sold out venues and purchased merch flying out the door. The sharp pain of worry in my gut was only eased by the thought that they had promised they could handle any outcome. I was wrong.

I discovered within a month of the tour finishing that each musician, beyond a bit of cash given during the five dates, was handed a worthless check in Orlando, signifying most of their pay. I found that the same applied to the crew. Perseverance Holdings Ltd. was unpaid. The booking agency was unpaid. Worst of all: Sweet Relief didn’t get a single penny of the supposed ‘20% off the top’ that Sick Drummer had been touting.

Due to an overwhelming demand from metal fans worldwide, Grammy-nominated and Juno award-winning Banger Films is setting out to raise funds to make what has become known as "The Lost Episode" a reality. Metal Evolution: Extreme Metal “The Lost Episode” covers co-director Sam Dunn’s favorite genres: Death Metal, Black Metal and Grindcore, and he is reaching out to metal fans to help make it happen.

“Hundreds of fans have emailed us demanding, pleading, that we do this episode,” says Banger Films co-founder Sam Dunn. “So in response we're launching an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funding within the Metal community to finance the episode. The goal is to raise $175,000 in 90 days!” The campaign kicked off Friday, September 14th. Details of the campaign, including cool donor gifts at various contribution levels. More...

Metal Injection & Peavey present Louder Education, a new collaborative show starring Testament shredder Alex Skolnick, Sound Of Urchin's Chris “Tomato” Harfenist, and the students of T.H.O.R. (Tomato's House of Rock). Each week on the series, a new special guest is invited to Tomato's House of Rock, to discuss their journey in the music business, provide educational tips for the growing artists, and round off the show with a kick-ass jam with the kids.

On this edition, the gang is joined by Howard Stern show personality and legendary drummer Richard Christy of Charred Walls of The Damned, and formerly of Death and Iced Earth. Richard talks about his humble beginnings, how he got into Death, life on the road and speaks of the benefits of wearing a diaper while going to metal shows. It all culminates with a jam of Death's "Crystal Mountain" by Christy and the T.H.O.R. Kids.

Watch the premiere of Peavey presents Louder Education at this location or in the player below. More...